Veteran Indian journalist VM Sathish passes away in Dubai

ukmalayalee.com

DUBAI Feb 9: Senior Indian award-winning journalist and former Khaleej Times reporter VM Sathish (54) passed away at the Al Khalifa Hospital in Ajman on Wednesday night. Sathish, who was visiting the UAE, suffered a heart attack and was admitted to a hospital in Sharjah on Wednesday.

Close aides of the journalist stated that he'd undergone a surgery and was reportedly normal when he suffered a second stroke that claimed his life. His body was moved to a morgue and will be repatriated to his hometown in Kottayam, Kerala for the last rites.

After leaving Khaleej Times, the reputed journalist launched a digital portal called Expat News and Digital Malayalee, where he passionately reported on the woes of the Indian community in the UAE.

A graduate of International Studies at Pondicherry University, Sathish has worked for several leading news publications in the region including, Emirates 24/7, Oman Observer, Emirates Today, Asianet Middle East, and many more.

His last story in Khaleej Times was about a visually impaired Indian tourist who made her first overseas flight trip to visit the city.

Sathish authored the book 'Distressing Encounters', where he wrote about various issues expatriates and the workers community faced. Sathish was also a media fellow of Ethical Journalism Network and International Labour Organisation's project on labour migration.

The journalism fellowship programme's objective is to contribute to fair and balanced reporting of labour migration in Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon and the UAE. He is survived by his wife Maya, and children Shruthi and Ashok.